News and press statements
Presentation by MISA Regional Director Dr Tabani Moyo at the Africa Electoral Justice Network (AEJN) webinar on disinformation and electoral justice
I will start with the theme of the Windhoek Declaration +30 – Information as a public good. With this in mind, we push forward the main argument that electoral management bodies (EMBs), have a critical responsibility as custodians of elections.
Violence against women serious breach of human rights
Resolution 522 highlights that: Digital violence is increasingly gendered and disproportionately affects women, through inter alia threats of sexual violence, misogynistic disinformation campaigns and “revenge pornography…”
Information disorders during elections in Southern Africa
The media, citizens, and governments have a role to play in ensuring the dissemination of accurate and factual information while curbing misinformation and disinformation through regulations, programmes, and awareness.
INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS (Statement)
A report by Citizen Lab in December 2020 revealed that at least three Southern African countries – Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe – had acquired surveillance equipment from Circles, an Israeli firm.
Reduction in crimes against journalists should spur Zimbabwe to adopt UN Plan of Action
No media violations involving the police or other security arms of the state were recorded during this period. However, on this day, we call upon the police to investigate all reported cases involving the assault or harassment of journalists.
Prevent, protect and provide justice to end impunity for crimes against journalists
The Southern African region had in the past few years experienced an improvement in the media freedom environment. However, the last year has been characterised by democratic backsliding that has...
Judiciary must serve all, leave no one behind
“Chief Justices and judges, please allow me to bring to your attention that in Africa, as of 2022, only 36% of the citizens have access to the internet, according to the World Bank,” he said.
MISA STATEMENT TO THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS ON THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AT THE 77th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS.
In 2022, we were optimistic that Southern Africa had turned the corner regarding attacks against journalists. However, we were jolted back to reality by the death of Ralikonelo Joki, the Lesotho broadcaster, who was shot and killed as he drove out of his work of employment. Before his death, Joki received death threats through social media platforms.
MISA Zimbabwe Way Forward Post-2023 Zimbabwe Elections
As highlighted earlier in this report, the media operating environment drastically improved during the 2023 elections compared to previous election seasons.